Chapter 82 Unrequited Love
Xiao Qi felt a headache coming on when he saw the look in his younger sister's eyes; the little girl was looking for gossip again.
However, he had to clarify that he had no relationship with this Miss Xuan, and that he was not interested in just any ordinary woman.
“Brother Xiao, I heard that you and your husband claimed to be sick and took leave. I... I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Xuan Yao twisted her handkerchief, looking shy, and hesitated to speak.
Lin Yuesha added the second half of her sentence, "Brother Xiao, we really are destined to be together!"
What is the relationship between this Miss Xuan and Xiao Qi? Judging from her shy and timid appearance, she clearly has someone she likes. Who knows, that person might be her stepbrother, the one who's been swindled out of her.
Sigh, she looks like a rich girl, but her eyesight isn't very good.
"Scholar Xiao, our young lady was very worried when she learned that you were ill."
The maidservant added from behind that although she was a maidservant, she was from a wealthy family and didn't look down on poor, pedantic scholars.
Seeing Xiao Qi doing business at the market, the maid felt deeply ashamed. She couldn't understand what had gotten into her young mistress that she had taken a liking to such a simpleton. In her opinion, Young Master He was much more refined and cultured, possessing the integrity of a scholar.
"Xiaoqian, don't talk nonsense!"
Xuan Yao blushed immediately after her thoughts were exposed. She stomped her foot, wanting to turn away, but couldn't bear to leave, staring longingly at Xiao Qi.
Lin Yuesha sighed. She was happy to watch the excitement for a while, but it would be a loss if it interfered with her business.
The young ladies and maids weren't buying anything; they were just loitering around her stall, blocking her view of her spiced melon seeds.
"Scholar Xiao, who is she?"
The maid Xiaoqian keenly noticed the impatience in Lin Yuesha's eyes and immediately questioned her with a look of inquiry.
Lin Yuesha's face turned cold. She really didn't understand who the maid was trying to impress with that look of someone who was about to catch someone in the act. She didn't think outsiders had the right to ask such a question.
However, the kind-hearted Xiao Qi wouldn't get angry, and patiently said, "It's my younger sister, Yue Sha."
"Oh, so it's Sister Xiao."
Xuan Yao relaxed a little. She didn't know much about the Xiao family and didn't know that Xiao Qi had a sister.
The fact that Lin Yuesha has become Xiao Yuesha suggests that the other party has misunderstood something.
Lin Yuesha didn't intend to explain. She gave her stepbrother a look, signaling him to quickly get rid of the unwanted suitors and not interfere with her business.
"Miss Xuan, if you see your brother, please give him my regards."
Xiao Qi showed concern at the right moment and mentioned Xuan Yao's older brother, Xuan Zhi. Only then did Lin Yuesha realize that the paper doll-like girl who could be blown away by the wind was actually the girl with the folding fan and pig head.
The folding fan-wielding pig-headed man is arrogant and looks down on people, his eyes practically pointing to the sky with his two nostrils showing. Meanwhile, the girl has questionable taste, falling for a kind-hearted man. This brother and sister are truly a complicated pair.
"Okay, I'll talk to my older brother."
Xuan Yao tugged at her clothes, looking shy, and asked, "Brother Xiao, will you come to my house to wish me a Happy New Year this year?"
Xuan Yao asked the question very subtly. She had come of age this year and her family was arranging marriages for her, but she was unwilling because she had already fallen deeply in love with Xiao Qi.
The Xuan family was in business, though not a large one. Her father was a womanizer, keeping concubines, a courtesan, and a barbarian woman in his household. Her mother was depressed because of this.
A man who is unfaithful and fickle is the least desirable; the more promiscuous he is, the less desirable he should be.
Her elder brother had an ambiguous relationship with a maid in the manor, and he even tried to seduce her, taking a liking to Xiaoqian.
Two years ago, Xuan Yao brought Xiao Qian back from offering incense when the carriage suddenly broke down. The coachman was at a loss, but luckily they ran into Xiao Qi.
Without saying a word, Xiao Qi helped repair the carriage, showing no airs of a scholar.
Xuan Yao liked Xiao Qi because he was reliable, but her older brother seemed to look down on him, simply because his family wasn't wealthy.
She doesn't care about having no money; her parents said they would give her a dowry. She's fine with living a frugal life; all she wants is an honest man.
"Want me to come to your house to wish you a Happy New Year?"
Lin Yuesha didn't understand the subtlety of ancient people, but she keenly sensed that Miss Xuan's words had a hidden meaning. She hadn't heard that her stepbrother was very familiar with the folding fan pig head.
"I'm going."
After Xiao Qi finished speaking, Xuan Yao's eyes lit up, but Xiao Qi's second half of the sentence made her feel as if she were soaking in bitter water, feeling unbearably bitter.
"The students at the academy had already discussed visiting each other's homes to offer New Year's greetings on the third day of the Lunar New Year."
Xiao Qi explained, pretending not to understand Xuan Yao's meaning.
He couldn't understand how he and this Miss Xuan, who had no connection whatsoever, had been given the opportunity to meet by chance!
"Scholar Xiao, you are ungrateful!"
The maid Xiaoqian blushed. Her young mistress had taken such the initiative. Was Xiao Qi just a blockhead who couldn't understand?
If he doesn't take the initiative to visit or propose marriage, won't he regret marrying the young lady to someone else?
Both the master and servant had a mysterious self-confidence, especially Xuan Yao, who believed that Xiao Qi had feelings for her, but was too ashamed to propose marriage because of his humble background.
“Brother Xiao, my father has always liked scholars. If it were you who came to visit, he should… he should agree.”
With the year-end approaching, Xuan Yao grew anxious. This time, she was determined to make Xiao Qi confess his feelings for her; she couldn't let it drag on any longer.
The way he looked at her was always so innocent and naive. My mother had always said that a man only looks at the one he loves with that kind of gaze.
Xiao Qi was unaware of Xuan Yao's thoughts; otherwise, he would have deeply reflected on himself. His current "good guy" persona hadn't caused him any trouble yet.
Over the years, there has only been this one bad peach blossom.
"Promise what?"
Xiao Qi was completely baffled and continued to play dumb.
"Miss Xuan, does my elder brother owe the Xuan family money?"
Lin Yuesha couldn't stand the pace any longer and interrupted.
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